Lilian Garcia was unprepared for the wave of emotions that swept over her when WWE recently reached out with an offer to return.
Garcia has now rejoined WWE full-time as the ring announcer for WWE Raw. She originally departed in 2016 to care for her ailing father, who sadly passed away on Christmas Day of that year.
In a live Q&A session with fans on Instagram held Monday, Garcia shared insights about her father’s influence on her return to WWE.
“When I got the call, just a few weeks ago… I felt like this was my dad and his gift, bringing me to this again,” Garcia revealed.
“I have missed you guys, and I will say that when my music hit and I came out in Philadelphia, I was not prepared for the love. I felt this massive wave come over me, this rush and energy.”
Lilian Garcia
Lilian Garcia pursued several professional endeavors during years outside the squared circle. She hosted several podcasts, did broadcasting work for the Professional Fighters League (PFL) mixed martial arts promotion, pursuing her music career and made several television appearances.
She also made a one-off cameos for WWE during this time, including ring announcing various special events (including the all-women’s WWE Evolution PPV), as well as several milestone episodes of WWE programming (Raw 25th Anniversary special in January 2018 and Raw Reunion in July 2019).
Marko Stunt says he made the difficult decision to retire from professional wrestling due to injuries and a desire to spend more time with his young family.
Stunt made a name for himself wrestling for Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), IWA Mid-South, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) as part of the Jurassic Express faction.
Stunt has battled chronic lower back pain stemming from his right hip rotating inward, has caused misalignment in his tailbone and legs. During an interview with Love Wrestling, he says the condition left his right leg weaker and shorter, risking further complications, including potential paralysis.
He made every effort to remain in the business, including a two-year layoff to rest his body. However, when a return to the ring left him in significant pain, he knew it was time to listen to the advice of his doctors.
“It’s something I’ve been trying to avoid for a while… their recommendation was, for my long-term health, to step away.”
Marko Stunt on his retirement from wrestling
Stunt still loves pro wrestling, and we all know that’s a tough habit to kick. However, he’s looking forward to spending more time with his young family and raising his daughter.
In a sport dominated by giants, where being 6-feet-tall is nothing special, Stunt defied the odds and embraced his biggest disadvantage – his height (billed at 5’2″). The self-proclaimed ‘Mr. Fun Size’ did the impossible and will be an inspiration to others who want to pursue their dreams, despite not being the prototype for success.
Watch Marko Stunt’s interview with Pluggo from Love Wrestling:
Mercedes Moné was part of WWE’s historic first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view event, and believes that AEW has more than enough talent to do the same.
The original Evolution pay-per-view took place on October 28, 2018, at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, New York. Headlined by Nikki Bella vs. Ronda Rousey, the event featured Moné, who teamed with Bayley and Natalya to defeat The Riott Squad (Ruby Riott, Liv Morgan, and Sarah Logan) by pinfall.
In a recent interview on the Battleground podcast with Tim Battle and Eli, Moné discussed the idea of a weekly, all-women’s AEW television show. She praised AEW’s roster, describing it as the best in women’s wrestling.
“Wow, a weekly show, absolutely. We have the talent, so why not? All Elite Women’s Wrestling? There you go. We have the best women’s wrestling. From Willow, Mariah May, Toni Storm, Serena Deeb, Kris Statlander, Kamille—there’s definitely an opportunity to have an all-women’s show every single week, so I don’t see why not,” Moné said.
Moné was also asked why she feels AEW could host its own all-women’s pay-per-view, similar to WWE’s Evolution.
“Because we have the best women’s wrestlers. We have a roster full of talent and a long list of women that could make an all-women’s pay-per-view possible. I think it’s just a matter of giving the chance and opportunity. If Tony [Khan] sees that, I don’t see why we couldn’t have a women’s revolution here in AEW. It’s already happening; the women have been killing it every single week. I think an all-women’s pay-per-view here would be incredible,” Moné stated.
WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes recently opened up on possibly working in a non-wrestling capacity in the company.
‘The American Nightmare’ has been a fan-favorite ever since he returned back to the company. After clinching the ultimate prize in the company at this year’s WrestleMania, he has been having a hectic schedule with regular appearances on the weekly WWE shows as well as media appearances. He has embraced the role of a leader, something which he also desires in a non-wrestling capacity.
Cody Rhodes told Cathy Kelley on WWE YouTube, that he was not fully prepared for. He has revealed that he has to attend corporate meetings and events which he is not comfortable with but he has to be involved.
“There are some things that come with it that were surprising to me. It might sound cool, it might sound cheesy. There is an element of leadership involved that they don’t say, they just kind of plug you in. You’re attending corporate meetings and events that you would typically be out of your depth at, and you’re supposed to be there and be on.”
Rhodes said that he is excited about this new challenge. He recalled that he had leadership role in AEW before heading back to WWE. The Undisputed WWE Champion felt that he failed in that role but he is working to improve. He also sees his future with WWE which is beyond competing in the ring.
“That’s something that has really excited me. In the past, I felt like when I had a leadership role in wrestling, I didn’t do well with it. I feel like I failed with it, but I knew why perhaps I failed with it. This has been an opportunity to plug back in. Maybe there is a future beyond the actual wrestling with WWE in a different setting. That’s something I’ve been thinking about lately.”
Several WWE stars have welcomed the opportunity of becoming on-screen authority role or commentary roles. With Cody Rhodes having experience serving as an EVP in AEW, there is a huge possibility that we might witness him in the management role sometime down the road in WWE as well.
At Saturday’s WWE Crown Jewel Premium Live Event, WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther will lock horns to crown the new WWE Crown Jewel Champion.
Former WWE Superstar Aliyah (Nhooph Al-Areebi) has won her first championship since leaving the promotion in September 2023.
The former WWE Women’s tag team champion (with partner Raquel Rodriguez) picked up singles gold in Canada’s Destiny World Wrestling promotion.
On Sunday, Al-Areebi defeated NWA star Tiffany Nieves to capture Destiny Women’s Championship. Nieves had been champion since August 17, when she defeated Zoey Skye in the finals of a tournament for the vacant title.
Here’s footage of the closing moments of the match:
Johnny Gargano sent a heartfelt message to Indi Hartwell following her unexpected release from WWE on Friday. Hartwell’s tenure at WWE came to an end as she was part of releases that also included Baron Corbin and Tegan Nox.
During her time in WWE, Indi traveled with Candice LeRae and Johnny Gargano, and his tag team partner Tommaso Ciampa. Gargano runs a channel on YouTube and captures travel videos. In his latest vlog, Gargano paid tribute to Indi with a montage of their travels and it also included Indi’s popular gym ratings. The vlog ended with the message:
“You’ll always be family. We love you, Indi Wrestling.”
After the news of her release broke, Indi Hartwell had also dropped a post on X. Her final WWE match, which was taped earlier, aired Friday night on SmackDown. She and Candice LeRae battled the team of Bayley and Naomi.
Hartwell had joined WWE back in 2019 and was part of the faction, The Way which was led by Johnny Gargano. During her time with the faction, she and Candice LeRae captured the NXT Women’s Tag Titles in 2021 and held the gold for 63 days.
At NXT Stand & Deliver in April last year, Hartwell also captured the NXT Women’s title, but she was forced to vacate the title due to an injury. She was then drafted to WWE Raw. Hartwell is set to become a free agent after the 90-day non-compete clause with WWE expires.
Meanwhile, last month, Motor City Machine Guns defeated #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) to become the No.1 Contenders to the WWE Tag Team titles on WWE SmackDown. They eventually captured the titles by defeating The Bloodline in an impromptu match on the show.
WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam says it was a great experience to visit NXT last weeks. ‘The Whole F’n Show,’ who has been on a Legends deal with WWE, recently made an appearance on the October 29th edition of WWE NXTand told the brand’s General Manager Ava that he wanted to be involved at NXT 2300 which will take place at the famous 2300 Arena this Wednesday. During a brawl between Wes Lee and Je’Von Evans at the end of the show, Rob Van Dam said that he got an idea regarding his involvement on the upcoming show.
Speaking on his 1 Of A Kind with RVD podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer reflected on his experience at WWE NXT and the WWE Performance Center. The former WWE Champion recalled that he has been on the brand in the past but things have changed drastically ever since. Rob Van Dam said that being involved in the show was a great experience and revealed meeting several fellow legends. He said:
“I’ve been there twice before, and it was a long time ago, ten years ago, and it did look a little different. They definitely had moved some stuff around, and if they had that many warehouses, then I didn’t realize it before, but a lot of that is theirs. It was really cool. It was just a good experience, everybody was grateful. Everyone’s happy and giving the legends a lot of love. So nothing terribly exciting, but also seeing a lot of my peers as well, and Bubba Ray Dudley, he was standing in the ring when I walked in one time to that area, and I slid in behind him to surprise him, and his calfs almost exploded in my face. I texted him and told him that [laughs], but his calves were huge and veins popping out. Looks like he’s been doing some toe raises, so good job, Bubba. Saw Shawn Michaels, saw Terry Taylor, yes I did [see William Regal].”
Rob Van Dam was also asked about his interaction with NXT General Manager Ava. He said that she was cool and made it clear that everyone that he met was cool.
“She was cool. Everybody was cool. I was just kind of like an extra, popping in and being me, and they were all there, learning and doing….I met everybody, everyone was super cool. They all came up and go, ‘Hi, I’m Veronica, good to meet you.”
RVD further revealed that he had been keeping an eye on the show to prepare for the following week. It is currently not known how Rob Van Dam will be involved in NXT 2300 and was tight-lipped regarding it on the podcast as well.
WWE presents an historic edition of Monday Night Raw tonight on the USA Network at 8/7c. For the first time in history, Raw will emanate from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Mohammed Abdo Arena.
Less than 48 hours removed from WWE Crown Jewel, we’re looking forward to an eventful show that will see two new challengers named for two of WWE’s top championships.
Confirmed matches and segments:
Battle Royal to determine the next challenger for Liv Morgan’s Women’s World Championship
Fatal 4-Way Match to determine the next challenger for Gunther’s World Heavyweight Championship
Sami Zayn addresses his return at Crown Jewel
The New Day vs The War Raiders
Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable
WWE Survivor Series: War Games, the company’s next premium live event, takes place in 26 days on Saturday, November 30.
Samoa Joe, a prominent figure in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), has been absent from recent programming, leading to speculation about his status. His hiatus is attributed to filming commitments for the second season of Peacock’s “Twisted Metal,” where he portrays the character Sweet Tooth. This filming schedule necessitated a temporary departure from AEW events.
What Happened to Samoa Joe?
During the July 10 episode of AEW Dynamite, Joe faced Chris Jericho in a Canadian Stampede Street Fight. The match concluded dramatically when Jericho used a forklift to drive Joe through a wall, resulting in Joe being stretchered out and taken to a hospital.
This storyline was crafted to explain Joe’s impending absence due to his filming obligations.
Return Rumors
As of early November 2024, reports indicate that Joe has completed his filming commitments and is available to return to AEW. Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio noted that Joe’s return is now at AEW’s discretion, suggesting that fans can anticipate his reappearance in the near future.
Samoa Joe Yakuza Game
In addition to his wrestling and acting endeavors, Joe is set to feature in the upcoming video game “Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii,” scheduled for release on February 28, 2025. This project marks another expansion of Joe’s presence in the entertainment industry.
Former WWE star CJ Perry, also known as Lana, recently addressed rumors about a potential relationship with WWE Superstar Damian Priest. The speculation began circulating on social media a few months ago, sparking widespread interest among wrestling fans. Perry took the time to set the record straight, clearing the air about her personal life.
The dating rumors between CJ Perry and Damian Priest started gaining traction after fans noticed their interactions on social media. Some fans speculated that there might be more to their online exchanges than meets the eye. However, Perry has now dismissed these claims, stating that their relationship is purely professional.
In a recent video posted to her Instagram stories, Perry explained that while she and Priest share a strong professional bond, there is no romantic involvement between them.
“Damian and I are friends,” she clarified. “We’ve worked together, and I have immense respect for him as a performer.”
CJ Perry denies she’s dating WWE Superstar Damian Priest
As for Damian Priest, the WWE Superstar has yet to comment on the rumors or Perry’s statements. Priest generally keeps a low profile regarding his personal life.
This clarification from CJ Perry seemingly puts an end to the dating rumors, allowing both her and Damian Priest to focus on their respective careers without unnecessary distractions.
WWE Survivor Series, one of WWE’s premier annual events, has delivered numerous memorable moments since its inception in 1987. However, not every installment has lived up to fan expectations. This article ranks the worst WWE Survivor Series events, highlighting the reasons behind their unfavorable reception.
1. Survivor Series 1993
Lackluster Matches and Storylines
The 1993 edition is often criticized for its uninspired matches and storylines. The event featured only five matches, with none standing out as particularly engaging. The main event, pitting The All-Americans against The Foreign Fanatics, failed to captivate the audience, leading to a disappointing overall experience.
2. Survivor Series 1999
Injury-Induced Main Event Changes
Anticipation was high for a triple threat match featuring Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and Triple H. However, Austin’s sudden departure due to injury led to a hastily arranged main event with Big Show replacing him. The abrupt change resulted in a lackluster match that left fans dissatisfied.
3. Survivor Series 2008
Underwhelming Championship Matches
This event is remembered for its disappointing championship bouts. The WWE Championship match between Triple H and Vladimir Kozlov was criticized for its lack of excitement. Edge’s unexpected return and victory couldn’t salvage the event’s overall quality.
4. Survivor Series 2013
Predictable Outcomes and Lack of Excitement
Despite featuring top talent, the 2013 edition suffered from predictable match outcomes and a lack of compelling storytelling. The main event between Randy Orton and Big Show for the WWE Championship failed to engage fans, contributing to the event’s poor reception.
5. Survivor Series 2015
Disappointing Tournament Finale
The 2015 event centered around a tournament to crown a new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. The final match between Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose was criticized for its brevity and lack of intensity. Sheamus’s subsequent Money in the Bank cash-in further disappointed fans, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.
6. Survivor Series 2021
Unfulfilled Promises and Lackluster Matches
Promoted as the 25th anniversary of The Rock’s WWE debut, the 2021 event failed to deliver on expectations. Despite heavy promotion, The Rock did not appear, leaving fans disappointed. Additionally, the traditional Survivor Series elimination matches received average reviews, and the battle royal was particularly disliked./
7. Survivor Series 2006
Underwhelming Performances and Outcomes
The 2006 event is remembered for its underwhelming performances and outcomes. The WWE Championship match between John Cena and King Booker was criticized for its lack of excitement. The traditional Survivor Series elimination matches also failed to deliver, contributing to the event’s poor reception.
8. Survivor Series 2017
Lack of Stakes and Uninspired Matches
The 2017 edition suffered from a lack of meaningful stakes and uninspired matches. The main event, a traditional Survivor Series elimination match between Team Raw and Team SmackDown, lacked excitement and failed to engage fans. The absence of significant consequences for the winning team contributed to the event’s lackluster reception.
9. Survivor Series 2019
Overemphasis on Brand Supremacy
The 2019 event focused heavily on brand supremacy, featuring matches between Raw, SmackDown, and NXT. While the inclusion of NXT added a fresh dynamic, the overemphasis on brand competition overshadowed individual storylines.
The main event, a triple threat match between Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Shayna Baszler, failed to deliver the expected excitement, leading to a mixed reception.
WWE Survivor Series, one of WWE’s “Big Four” pay-per-views, has delivered numerous unforgettable moments since its inception in 1987. This annual event is renowned for its traditional elimination tag team matches and significant storyline developments. Here, we rank the top WWE Survivor Series events that have left an indelible mark on wrestling history.
Rank
Event Date
Location
Key Highlights
1
November 17, 2002
Madison Square Garden, New York
– Debut of the Elimination Chamber match – Shawn Michaels won the World Heavyweight Championship – Triple Threat Tag Team Elimination Match featuring the SmackDown Six
2
November 15, 1998
Kiel Center, St. Louis, Missouri
– “Deadly Game” tournament to crown a new WWF Champion – The Rock’s heel turn and alignment with The Corporation
3
November 18, 2001
Greensboro Coliseum, North Carolina
– Team WWF vs. The Alliance (WCW/ECW) in a high-stakes elimination match – Team WWF’s victory determining the future of WWE
4
November 23, 2014
Scottrade Center, St. Louis, Missouri
– Team Cena vs. Team Authority elimination match – Dolph Ziggler’s standout performance – Surprise debut of Sting
5
November 22, 1990
Hartford Civic Center, Connecticut
– Debut of The Undertaker introduced by Ted DiBiase – Traditional elimination matches
6
November 27, 2005
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Michigan
– Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown for brand supremacy – Team SmackDown’s victory with Randy Orton as the sole survivor – Last Man Standing match between Triple H and Ric Flair
7
November 20, 2016
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada
– Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar main event – Goldberg’s shocking victory in 86 seconds
8
November 17, 1996
Madison Square Garden, New York
– Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin classic match – Debut of The Rock
9
November 24, 2019
Allstate Arena, Rosemont, Illinois
– Inclusion of NXT in brand warfare – Standout performances by Keith Lee and Rhea Ripley – NXT’s dominance in the event
10
November 26, 1987
Richfield Coliseum, Ohio
– Inaugural Survivor Series event – Team Hogan vs. Team Andre main event – Andre the Giant’s team secured the win
1. Survivor Series 2002: The Inaugural Elimination Chamber
Held on November 17, 2002, at Madison Square Garden, Survivor Series 2002 is often hailed as one of the best. The event featured the debut of the Elimination Chamber match, where Shawn Michaels captured the World Heavyweight Championship, marking a significant moment in his career.
Additionally, the Triple Threat Tag Team Elimination Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship showcased the brilliance of the SmackDown Six, with Los Guerreros emerging victorious.
2. Survivor Series 1998: Deadly Game Tournament
On November 15, 1998, WWE introduced the “Deadly Game” tournament to crown a new WWF Champion.
The night was filled with unexpected twists, culminating in The Rock’s heel turn and alignment with The Corporation, solidifying his status as a top heel.
This event is remembered for its intricate storytelling and the crowning of a new champion.
3. Survivor Series 2001: Team WWF vs. The Alliance
The culmination of the Invasion storyline took place on November 18, 2001, featuring Team WWF against The Alliance (WCW/ECW). The high-stakes elimination match determined the future of WWE, with Team WWF emerging victorious.
The match was star-studded, featuring legends like The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Kurt Angle, and delivered intense action and drama.
4. Survivor Series 2014: Team Cena vs. Team Authority
This event, held on November 23, 2014, is notable for the high-stakes elimination match where Team Cena faced Team Authority. The match featured a standout performance by Dolph Ziggler, who overcame significant odds to secure victory for his team.
The surprise debut of Sting added to the event’s significance, making it a memorable chapter in WWE history.
5. Survivor Series 1990: The Undertaker’s Debut
On November 22, 1990, the WWE Universe witnessed the debut of The Undertaker, introduced by Ted DiBiase as part of The Million Dollar Team.
This event marked the beginning of one of the most legendary careers in wrestling history. The traditional elimination matches on the card also delivered solid action, making it a standout event.
6. Survivor Series 2005: Team Raw vs. Team SmackDown
The November 27, 2005, event emphasized brand supremacy, featuring a classic elimination match between Team Raw and Team SmackDown. Team SmackDown, led by Batista, secured the win, with Randy Orton standing tall as the sole survivor.
The event also featured a Last Man Standing match between Triple H and Ric Flair, adding to its acclaim.
7. Survivor Series 2016: Goldberg vs. Brock Lesnar
Held on November 20, 2016, this event is remembered for the shocking main event where Goldberg defeated Brock Lesnar in just 86 seconds.
The swift victory sent shockwaves through the wrestling world and set the stage for future encounters between the two powerhouses.
8. Survivor Series 1996: Bret Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin
On November 17, 1996, Madison Square Garden hosted a classic encounter between Bret Hart and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
This match is often regarded as one of the best in Survivor Series history, showcasing technical prowess and storytelling. The event also featured The Rock’s debut, adding to its historical significance.
9. Survivor Series 2019: NXT Joins the Battle
The November 24, 2019, event was unique as it included NXT in the traditional brand warfare, making it a three-way battle for supremacy. NXT’s involvement added fresh matchups and excitement, with standout performances from stars like Keith Lee and Rhea Ripley, leading to NXT’s dominance that night.
10. Survivor Series 1987: The Inaugural Event
The first-ever Survivor Series on November 26, 1987, set the tone for future events with its traditional elimination matches. The main event featured Team Hogan vs. Team Andre, with Andre the Giant’s team securing the win. This event laid the foundation for the Survivor Series legacy.
These events have each contributed uniquely to the rich history of WWE’s Survivor Series, offering fans unforgettable matches and moments that continue to be celebrated.
Kenny Omega wasn’t afraid to get physical at NJPW Power Struggle 2024, as Gabe Kidd discovered firsthand at the event in Osaka, Japan. During the show, Omega spoke about his recovery from diverticulitis and said he’d love to return to the ring at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. Omega added that he wants to face one of the young talents from New Japan at the event.
When Omega got backstage, he was confronted by one of those young stars, 27-year-old Gabe Kidd. The reigning NJPW Strong Openweight Champion had some barbs for Omega, resulting in a brawl between the two. The segment marked the closest Omega has come to a fight since December of last year, and his first time getting physical at a wrestling event since being attacked by The Elite in May.
It’s not just at NJPW Power Struggle that Kidd and Omega have been at each other’s throats, as Kidd and Omega beefed via X in August.
Let me turn off the caps lock quick and get real for a minute.
First of all, I been out drinking with 10/10 Japanese birds every night of the G1 and I’m still outshining all these fools, so sorry I’m late to replying.
Omega’s brawl with Kidd has already sparked talk among fans of a match between the pair at Wrestle Dynasty. The first-of-its-kind show will feature talent from AEW, New Japan, CMLL, Ring of Honor, and Stardom and will take place from the famed Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The show will take place one day after NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, which will also emanate from the Tokyo Dome.
While Kota Ibushi has predicted Omega’s imminent return, a match with Kidd or anyone else will hinge on the AEW EVP being cleared in time. Nevertheless, the idea of Omega finally getting back in the ring to wrestle is welcomed news to his legion of fans who could get to see him tangle with Kidd once again soon enough.
Kenny Omega is inching closer to a return to the ring and shared at NJPW Power Struggle 2024 that he hopes to wrestle in a matter of months. Appearing at the Osaka event, Omega said that he’d spoken with NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi and they’d shared their ideas. One idea was for Omega to wrestle again for New Japan against one of the company’s young talents.
Omega said he’s been making progress in his recovery and “in a little bit” he should be able to return to action. Despite being a member of the AEW roster, and an EVP, He added that if he returns to wrestling, he would like to be back in Japan.
The Canadian wasn’t sure when he’d be able to be back, but said “How about January 5th?”, the date of Wrestle Dynasty. Omega ended by calling New Japan the King of Sport, the best pro wrestling in the world, and his home.
Omega has been out of action since December 2023 due to diverticulitis, a condition that has affected other wrestling names including Brock Lesnar and Shane McMahon. Omega’s desire to return in time for Wrestle Dynasty fits in with last month’s comments by Kota Ibushi, who predicted Omega would be wrestling again within a matter of months. Omega underwent surgery earlier this year after appearing on AEW TV where he was betrayed by The Elite.
Fans are excited at the prospect of Omega wrestling again, though the AEW staple’s comments about NJPW being the best are bound to raise some eyebrows. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kenny Omega and his journey back to the ring.
WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker isn’t giving up on Omos despite the former Raw Tag Team Champion’s ongoing absence from WWE programming. During a recent Patreon Q&A, the Phenom said he was “optimistic” about Omos’ future in WWE, and WWE “using him judiciously” has left him “excited.”
“At some point, I believe he becomes like the guardian of the castle, basically like I used to be. Anybody, any giant monster, anybody that ever came down the pike, I always got them.”
Later on, The Undertaker reiterated his belief that Omos will play a key role in WWE storylines going forward, and is hoping to see talent who can go toe-to-toe with the seven-footer.
“He will be the one that decides who comes and who goes in a storytelling aspect. I just hope that we get some guys coming down the road that actually can pose a physical threat to you.”
The Undertaker certainly has high hopes for the Nigerian Giant, who he has previously compared to Andre the Giant, but Omos’ role, or lack thereof, over the past year has sparked doubts over his future.
Despite once being pushed heavily, including a title win in his first main roster match, Omos hasn’t competed since the Andre the Giant Battle Royal in April. His last singles match on TV came at Backlash 2023 against Seth Rollins, while his most recent win televised win was a squash match on the May 1, 2023, edition of Raw.
Ironically, Omos was not eligible in the 2023 WWE Draft, with the explanation that WWE wanted to keep the Giant as a spectacle across Raw and SmackDown. With his manager MVP now a part of AEW, questions remain as to what Omos’ future will look like, but having the endorsement of a WWE icon can’t hurt the 30-year-old Superstar.
‘Main Event’ Jey Uso’s popularity has once again proven to be undeniable after topping the WWE merchandise sales charts for the month of October. A report by Wrestlenomics reveals that Jey was WWE’s top merch seller when it comes to apparel, besting top names like CM Punk and Roman Reigns.
Merchandise Rankings Estimate: Oct 1 to Oct 31, 2024 WWEShop (Apparel Only) – Categories
Jey Uso (Items in top 10 daily: 41) [reverse rank value: 9,340]
CM Punk (51) [5,507]
Roman Reigns (44) [3,792]
John Cena (29) [2,842]
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (12) [2,669]
Chris Jericho (9) [2,650]
Cody Rhodes (18) [2,483]
Jimmy Uso (13) [1,680]
Rhea Ripley (11) [1,444]
nWo (2) [987]
October was a month of major changes for Jey, who began riding high as the Intercontinental Champion. By the end of the month though, Jey had lost the title back to Bron Breakker and had formed a shaky alliance with Roman Reigns and Jimmy Uso. The trio lost to Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline at WWE Crown Jewel.
Jey’s spot as the number-one merch seller only further proves his popularity, not just in October but throughout the year. In May, Jey took second place behind CM Punk and has remained a fixture of the Top 10 rankings for months. You can check out the assortment of Jey’s merchandise, ranging from T-shirts to titles to foam ‘YEET’ hands by clicking here.
As one of the most popular stars on TV and with these impressive sales figures, fans can expect to see plenty of ‘Main Event Jey’ on programming, whether as a singles competitor or as part of Roman Reigns’ newly re-formed Bloodline. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Jey Uso, as the WWE Universe is well and truly behind the YEETing Superstar.
The National Wrestling Alliance continued to grow this week as the World League Wrestling promotion is now an official NWA territory. In a statement, the NWA announced the inclusion of the Missouri-based WLW, the fifth regional promotion to join the NWA in the last two years.
WLW was founded by Harley Race over a quarter of a century ago and has been active ever since. Trevor Murdoch, a former NWA World Champion and current Tag Champion who began his career in WLW before arriving in WWE, shared his excitement for the news and the connection to Race in a statement:
“When you thought of NWA back in the day, you thought of Harley Race. It was a company had a lot of pride and respect for… As the student of Harley Race and representative of him throughout my career, it feels good that I can do this for World League Wrestling and bring these two together.”
As an official territory, the NWA will recognize all NWA WLW champions going forward. Additionally, a talent-sharing agreement will benefit both promotions, according to Murdoch.
“We are going to be a developmental system for the NWA to find some of the top, young talents that have not been seen, that might not be getting opportunities they deserve.”
Race, an eight-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion, isn’t the only huge name tie to WLW which has always worked with legends like ‘Rowdy’ Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, and Meng/Haku. WLW joins other companies to become NWA territories, including Exodus Pro, which made the move in October 2023.
Murdoch is one of several major players in the NWA, which includes Mike Knox, Kenzie Page, Max the Impaler, and reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion Thom Latimer. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on the NWA and its continued efforts to expand with territories across the United States.
The newest WWE NXT referee won’t have trouble laying down the law after joining the silver brand following a career in boxing. At last Saturday’s live event in Orlando, Florida, Vicky D’Errico made her WWE debut as a referee.
D’Errico was recruited by WWE after participating in the tryouts over WrestleMania 40 week in Philadelphia. WWE official Darryl Sharma warmly welcomed D’Errico to the company on social media.
D’Errico joins Jessika Carr and Daphne LaShaun as WWE’s third active female referee, a role that has been male-dominated in the past. Now, she will be keeping an eye out for pinfall and submissions, but the newest NXT official won’t be afraid to keep the Superstars in check if they feel like bending or breaking the rules
Boxing Success
D’Errico was previously a professional boxer and fought for the Rough N’ Rowdy promotion. She debuted at Rough N’ Rowdy 10 in November 2019, and she would win the Women’s Middleweight title upon her return at Rough N’ Rowdy 20.
In May 2023, D’Errico retained the gold at Rough N’ Rowdy 21, to extend her undefeated record with the promotion.
WWE will present an historic edition of Monday Night Raw this coming week. The November 4, 2024 episode of Raw is being taped today from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia at the Mohammed Abdo Arena, and will air on tape delay at its usual time on the USA Network.
The top advertised match will be a #1 Contenders Fatal 4-Way match to determine the next challenger for Gunther, WWE’s reigning World Heavyweight champion. The participants are Seth Rollins, the inaugural champion, former champion Damian Priest, multi-time World champion Sheamus and ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio.
WWE Raw Results (Airing November 4)
Here are the key results from today’s WWE Raw tapings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
Liv Morgan opens the show
Liv Morgan opened the show with a promo, declaring that her “revenge tour” was officially over due to Rhea Ripley’s injury. As tensions rose, Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair made their way to the ring. Morgan seized the opportunity to plant seeds of doubt between the two, suggesting they weren’t on the same page. Adam Pearce then stepped in to announce a Battle Royal to determine the next contender for Liv’s title.
IYO SKY Triumphs in Battle Royal
IYO SKY emerged victorious in the Battle Royal, earning the right to challenge Liv Morgan for the championship.
The War Raiders Dominate The New Day
In a tag team clash, The War Raiders overpowered The New Day, securing a decisive win.
Sami Zayn Reunites with The Usos
Sami Zayn took to the ring for a heartfelt promo and orchestrated an emotional reunion with The Usos, reigniting their alliance.
Dragon Lee vs. Chad Gable with Interference
Dragon Lee faced Chad Gable in a singles match, which took an unexpected turn when Rey Mysterio intervened, allowing Lee to capitalize and claim the victory.
Damian Priest Becomes GUNTHER’s Next Challenger
The main event featured a high-stakes fatal four-way match, with Damian Priest defeating Seth Rollins, Sheamus, and Dominik Mysterio to become GUNTHER’s next World Heavyweight Championship contender.
Post-match chaos ensued as Bronson Reed ambushed Rollins, driving him through a table. The show concluded with an intense face-off between GUNTHER and Priest.
Additionally, before the main event of Raw, WWE Main Event tapings occurred with the following outcomes:
Pete Dunne defeated Akira Ozawa
Ludwig Kaiser defeated R-Truth
Otis faced Bron Breakker, where Otis notably did his ‘worm’ move, but Breakker put the big man away after hitting a spear.
WWE will bring its flagship shows Raw and SmackDown to Europe this coming March as part of the exciting road to WrestleMania 41. The tour will see the two shows, as well as live events, held in Spain, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Northern Ireland, the UK, Austria, and the Netherlands.
This exciting tour will also mark the first time that any WWE TV taping has taken place in Spain or Belgium. So far, these two countries have only hosted live events, with Cody Rhodes teasing a Belgium PLE during one such live event earlier this year. WWE has become more open to hosting televised events outside of North America in recent years, with PLEs and TV shows happening in Scotland, Australia, and Germany in 2024 alone.
The tour will conclude mere weeks before WrestleMania 41 takes place on April 19, and April 20, from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The show will be WWE’s second WrestleMania in Vegas (after WrestleMania 9) and the first to stream on Netflix in these international markets. WrestleMania season is the most exciting time of the year for the WWE Universe and now fans in Europe will get to experience this much-anticipated period up close and personal next March.
This week, Baron Corbin was informed that his WWE contract will not be renewed when it expires, bringing an end to his 12-year tenure with the company. Corbin was at one point a main eventer on Monday Night Raw, and appeared poised for a World Championship win, though that never materialized. When a fan on Instagram argued that WWE ‘fumbled’ the Lone Wolf, Corbin agreed with the sentiment.
Corbin joined WWE in 2012 and quickly established himself as part of NXT. In 2016, he was called up to the main roster by winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and won the U.S. title the following year. Despite being prominently pushed on Raw in 2018 and 2019, including a King of the Ring win, Corbin would slide down the card and would only revitalize his career with a return to NXT in 2023.
Mina Shirakawa is on her way back to All Elite Wrestling, over two months as the Japanese sensation last competed for the promotion. On the latest episode of AEW Collision, a vignette aired hyping up the return of Mina Shirakawa. In the video, Mina states “Do you really want Mina? Get ready. Mina is coming.”
This isn’t the first vignette hyping the return of the 36-year-old wrestler. On the September 18, episode of AEW Dynamite, a vignette aired hyping her return that would take place at the Grand Slam edition of Dynamite. That return saw Shirakawa uncomfortably celebrate a victory from AEW Women’s World Champion Mariah May.
Shirakawa boasts an impressive 5-0 record on AEW TV, but came up short against Toni Storm at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door in June of this year. Her most recent AEW match took place on the August 30, 2024, edition of AEW Rampage where she defeated Missa Kate.
In her most recent appearances, Shirakawa has tried to be supportive of Mariah May, but has clearly been uncomfortable with her heel turn and her reign as Women’s World Champion. It remains to be seen if Shirakawa is destined to one day step in the ring against her long-time friend and tag team partner, but fans can expect to see more from the Japanese star in the near future.
This week, Indi Hartwell’s time with WWE came to an end as she was part of releases that also saw Baron Corbin and Tegan Nox cut from the company. While it’s never fun to lose one’s job, Hartwell took to Instagram this week to share that she’s focusing on the positives at this unfortunate time.
I got to live out a childhood dream for the last 5 years and I’m so grateful!
I’m just a girl from Australia who never took naur for an answer and made her dreams a reality. It all started with a match in Brooklyn at the Barclays Center and fittingly, ends there too.
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened ?
Hartwell signed with WWE in 2019 and would align with The Way the following year. Indi’s time with the Johnny Gargano-led faction would see herself and Candice LeRae win the NXT Women’s Tag Titles in 2021 and hold the gold for 63 days. At NXT Stand & Deliver in April 2023, Hartwell won the NXT Women’s Championship, but vacated the gold after being drafted to Raw. Her 31-day reign with the gold remains the shortest reign of anyone in the title’s history.
Hartwell’s on-screen marriage to Dexter Lumis would also prove popular with fans but was not addressed when either Superstar arrived on the main roster. Now, the Australian wrestler will have to re-establish herself outside of WWE, but remains hopeful for the future and positive about her time as a Superstar. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Indi Hartwell and her future outside WWE.
Seth Rollins was dressed to impress for his big match against Bronson Reed at WWE Crown Jewel, as wrestling fans have come to expect as much from the flamboyant Superstar. Rollins was sporting an immaculate fit styled by King Troi, who described his creation as, ‘Hype-Beast Meets High-Fashion.’
His the attire included an exaggerated hybrid denim/leather patchwork moto jacket designed by Troi and customized by Asanchez Fashion. The look was completed with gear by WWE costume designer Mikaze and “Space Jam 11s” footwear by Jumpman23.
Fashion designer King Troi is the visionary behind “The Visionary.” He’s responsible for the attention-grabbing fashion of Rollins, along with Becky Lynch and several other top WWE Superstars.
Rollins’ fashion choices have often taken center stage on WWE programming, such as in July of this year when he debuted his referee outfit at SummerSlam. Rather than the standard garb of an official, The Visionary wore a flamboyant striped garb for the CM Punk Vs. Drew McIntyre match that saw McIntyre get the pinfall victory.
Whatever role Seth Rollins finds him in on WWE TV, fans can always expect the Raw Superstar to look his best. Rollins will be a part of a fatal-four-way match this coming Monday to determine the next challenger for GUNTHER’s World Heavyweight Championship. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Seth Rollins and his fashion choices in and out of the ring.
At WWE Crown Jewel, Cody Rhodes and Liv Morgan made history as the inaugural winners of the Men’s and Women’s Crown Jewel Championships. While the titles will remain at the WWE Experience in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the two champions have now been presented with their official championship rings.
The Game described these rings as akin to Superbowl rings, and like the Crown Jewel titles, is emblazoned with jewels.
The Crown Jewel Championship Rings is a brand-new kind of accolade in WWE though it isn’t the first ring of its kind in wrestling. In AEW, MJF has repeatedly won the Dynamite Diamond Ring, which he has used in matches. It remains to be seen if Rhodes or Morgan add more rings to their collection in the coming years, but the pair will go down in the history books as the first-ever Crown Jewel Champions.
